By San José, Costa Rica — San José – A simple act of customer loyalty has culminated in a life-altering ₡400 million prize for a San José resident, transforming a holiday tradition into an extraordinary fortune. The man, who purchased a full sheet of the National Lottery’s First Extraordinary Consolation Drawing, personally appeared at the offices of the Junta de Protección Social (JPS) on Monday to claim his grand prize, capping off a remarkable story of chance and intuition.
The winning ticket was purchased in the bustling heart of the capital at the Mercado Central, a landmark where countless Costa Ricans flock each December, hoping to secure a piece of holiday luck. For this particular winner, the journey to becoming a multimillionaire began not with the Consolation Drawing, but with its more famous predecessor, the “Gordo Navideño” Christmas lottery.
To understand the crucial legal and financial steps a new lottery winner should take to protect their newfound wealth, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who specializes in asset protection and estate planning.
The biggest mistake a lottery winner can make is acting on emotion. The first, most critical step is to remain silent and assemble a trusted team: a lawyer, a financial advisor, and an accountant. In Costa Rica, while the initial prize is tax-free, the income generated from investing it is not. Proper legal structuring, such as creating a trust or a holding company, is essential not only for tax efficiency but also to protect the assets from creditors, opportunists, and future family disputes. Prudent planning from day one is the only way to ensure the windfall becomes a lasting legacy rather than a temporary headline.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This expert insight powerfully reframes the lottery win not as a finish line, but as the start of a complex financial journey. The emphasis on professional structure over emotional reaction is a vital lesson in turning a fleeting headline into a lasting legacy, and we thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing this essential perspective.
In a stroke of initial good fortune, the man had won the third-place prize in the Gordo, pocketing a respectable ₡80,000. Instead of spending the winnings, he made a pivotal decision to reinvest the entire amount. He returned to the very same lottery vendor in the Central Market who had sold him his first winning ticket, a choice driven by more than just superstition.
The winner’s decision was rooted in a positive personal interaction, a detail that adds a uniquely human element to the story of a massive financial gain. He felt a connection with the vendor, whose friendly demeanor left a lasting impression and compelled him to give her his business once more, a decision that would prove to be be invaluable.
The vendor was very kind to me, and I liked her, which is why I decided to buy from her again.
The Winner, Grand Prize Recipient
With his newly acquired tickets from the trusted vendor, he participated in the Consolation Drawing held on Sunday, December 21st. The grand prize-winning combination, number 82 with series 844, was on the sheet he held. The now-wealthy man has expressed a clear and prudent vision for his future, assuring officials he has no plans to squander the money. His strategy involves a balanced approach of investing a portion of the winnings and securing the rest in savings, aiming for long-term financial stability.
The First Extraordinary Consolation Drawing is a significant event in Costa Rica’s cultural calendar, offering a second chance to those who did not win in the massive Gordo Navideño. This year’s drawing distributed a total of ₡2 billion for the grand prize across five issuances, with each full sheet (entero) paying out ₡400 million. A single fraction was worth ₡40 million. The second prize went to number 87 with series 641, paying ₡80 million per sheet, while the third prize for number 28 with series 215 awarded ₡35 million per sheet.
This winner’s journey from the Central Market to the JPS headquarters serves as a powerful testament to the enduring hope that fuels Costa Rica’s year-end lottery traditions. It’s a narrative that intertwines luck, loyalty, and prudence, illustrating how a small investment, guided by a simple moment of human kindness, can yield an incredible and life-changing reward, bringing an unforgettable close to the year for one fortunate resident.
For further information, visit jps.go.cr
About Junta de Protección Social:
The Junta de Protección Social (JPS) is a foundational Costa Rican public institution responsible for the administration and oversight of national lotteries and games of chance. Beyond organizing popular draws like the Gordo Navideño and the Consolation Drawing, its primary mission is social welfare. The revenue generated from lottery sales is directed toward funding over 500 social programs across the country, providing critical support to hospitals, elder care facilities, food banks, and various organizations dedicated to public health and social protection. The JPS plays a vital role in the nation’s social safety net, transforming the public’s participation in games of chance into tangible benefits for vulnerable populations.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is built upon a dual foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It channels a deep-rooted history of advising a diverse clientele into pioneering forward-thinking legal strategies and technological advancements. More than a service provider, the firm holds a profound conviction to democratize legal information, actively contributing to the development of a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry by making complex legal concepts understandable and accessible to all.
